Barcroft elementary/ south Arlington crisis

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what about Barcroft was different this year than in past years. I'm not challenging the premise of any of the concerns. It seems clear that things are different now than they had been, and something is prompting people to speak up. Is it just a change in demographics? Teachers? Has the school openly acknowledged that it is having to adjust its priorities to meet higher need students? My undertanding is that most arlington elementary schools currently face serious overcrowding, but the concerns being voiced from Barcroft make it seem like it is being disproportionately impacted.

They built a 100% affordable housing complex on Dinwiddie. The school got a last minute influx of low SES kids in an already crowded school. The county acted like it was unforeseeable. Nuts.

They also renovated Buchanan Gardens in the Barcroft school district, turning what were previously 1 bedroom units into 2 and 3 bedroom units, and grossly underestimated the number of children coming from there. The projections were way off, but once families moved in, they also did not reassess to give the school any warning. Not sure if that happened this year or last, but either way, it was not well thought out. They did not build the infrastructure before building the housing.

On the school tour, the Barcroft principal told me that 30 extra K students showed up for school in 2014. The school only had a budget for and had hired 4 K teachers, based on what the county projected. Then they had to scramble to hire a 5th teacher, all the while splitting those extra kids up among classrooms, bringing them to closer to 30 kids per class for the first 6 weeks of school. Principal asked for 6 K teachers for next year, anticipating the projections will be off again, but was only given 5.

It's my understanding that they have also lost 95,000 of Title 1 funding for next year because this year's test scores did not meet expectations. I doubt the PTA's spring fundraiser came close to making up this shortfall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what about Barcroft was different this year than in past years. I'm not challenging the premise of any of the concerns. It seems clear that things are different now than they had been, and something is prompting people to speak up. Is it just a change in demographics? Teachers? Has the school openly acknowledged that it is having to adjust its priorities to meet higher need students? My undertanding is that most arlington elementary schools currently face serious overcrowding, but the concerns being voiced from Barcroft make it seem like it is being disproportionately impacted.

They built a 100% affordable housing complex on Dinwiddie. The school got a last minute influx of low SES kids in an already crowded school. The county acted like it was unforeseeable. Nuts.

They also renovated Buchanan Gardens in the Barcroft school district, turning what were previously 1 bedroom units into 2 and 3 bedroom units, and grossly underestimated the number of children coming from there. The projections were way off, but once families moved in, they also did not reassess to give the school any warning. Not sure if that happened this year or last, but either way, it was not well thought out. They did not build the infrastructure before building the housing.

On the school tour, the Barcroft principal told me that 30 extra K students showed up for school in 2014. The school only had a budget for and had hired 4 K teachers, based on what the county projected. Then they had to scramble to hire a 5th teacher, all the while splitting those extra kids up among classrooms, bringing them to closer to 30 kids per class for the first 6 weeks of school. Principal asked for 6 K teachers for next year, anticipating the projections will be off again, but was only given 5.

It's my understanding that they have also lost 95,000 of Title 1 funding for next year because this year's test scores did not meet expectations. I doubt the PTA's spring fundraiser came close to making up this shortfall.



Thank you for this very informative post. I hope to see you at the meeting on the 27th at Arlington Mill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what about Barcroft was different this year than in past years. I'm not challenging the premise of any of the concerns. It seems clear that things are different now than they had been, and something is prompting people to speak up. Is it just a change in demographics? Teachers? Has the school openly acknowledged that it is having to adjust its priorities to meet higher need students? My undertanding is that most arlington elementary schools currently face serious overcrowding, but the concerns being voiced from Barcroft make it seem like it is being disproportionately impacted.

They built a 100% affordable housing complex on Dinwiddie. The school got a last minute influx of low SES kids in an already crowded school. The county acted like it was unforeseeable. Nuts.

They also renovated Buchanan Gardens in the Barcroft school district, turning what were previously 1 bedroom units into 2 and 3 bedroom units, and grossly underestimated the number of children coming from there. The projections were way off, but once families moved in, they also did not reassess to give the school any warning. Not sure if that happened this year or last, but either way, it was not well thought out. They did not build the infrastructure before building the housing.

On the school tour, the Barcroft principal told me that 30 extra K students showed up for school in 2014. The school only had a budget for and had hired 4 K teachers, based on what the county projected. Then they had to scramble to hire a 5th teacher, all the while splitting those extra kids up among classrooms, bringing them to closer to 30 kids per class for the first 6 weeks of school. Principal asked for 6 K teachers for next year, anticipating the projections will be off again, but was only given 5.

It's my understanding that they have also lost 95,000 of Title 1 funding for next year because this year's test scores did not meet expectations. I doubt the PTA's spring fundraiser came close to making up this shortfall.

They have money in the budget to add staff if the projections are off. If enough extra kids show up in September, compared to projections, that the class size is above the maximum for that grade, they will add another class. (If they are off downwards--which basically never happens any more--they wouldn't take away a teacher, you'd just have smaller-than-expected classes.) Agree that it is disruptive at the beginning of the year, but for schools that are "on the bubble" it may be better to underestimate a little and add if needed, then hire an additional teacher or two--the costs add up quickly. Kindergarten classes have a full time teacher plus a full time aide--it's like $150K a year for staffing alone.

Not sure about the numbers at Barcroft, but the maximum for K is 24 kids. If they expected 80 kindergartners, they would have budgeted for 4 teachers for an average class size of 20 kids. If 30 extra kids showed up, that would require 5 teachers for the 110 total students and give them an average class size of 22 kids per class. If the new apartment building is already fully rented, there's no reason to think there would be ANOTHER 30 extra kids next year. With 5 classes, they could have up to 120 kindergartners--10 more than this year. If they do get more than 120 Ks, they can add another teacher (and then have 6 comparatively small kindergarten classes.)

[Anonymous]

This is a crisis in many localities, including my county, Fairfax county, where multi-family housing is crammed into the eastern and southern portions of the county, and the rest of the county rules the roost, and wonders why there are so many low SES students taking up resources in other parts of the county.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone explain to me what about Barcroft was different this year than in past years. I'm not challenging the premise of any of the concerns. It seems clear that things are different now than they had been, and something is prompting people to speak up. Is it just a change in demographics? Teachers? Has the school openly acknowledged that it is having to adjust its priorities to meet higher need students? My undertanding is that most arlington elementary schools currently face serious overcrowding, but the concerns being voiced from Barcroft make it seem like it is being disproportionately impacted.

They built a 100% affordable housing complex on Dinwiddie. The school got a last minute influx of low SES kids in an already crowded school. The county acted like it was unforeseeable. Nuts.

They also renovated Buchanan Gardens in the Barcroft school district, turning what were previously 1 bedroom units into 2 and 3 bedroom units, and grossly underestimated the number of children coming from there. The projections were way off, but once families moved in, they also did not reassess to give the school any warning. Not sure if that happened this year or last, but either way, it was not well thought out. They did not build the infrastructure before building the housing.

On the school tour, the Barcroft principal told me that 30 extra K students showed up for school in 2014. The school only had a budget for and had hired 4 K teachers, based on what the county projected. Then they had to scramble to hire a 5th teacher, all the while splitting those extra kids up among classrooms, bringing them to closer to 30 kids per class for the first 6 weeks of school. Principal asked for 6 K teachers for next year, anticipating the projections will be off again, but was only given 5.

It's my understanding that they have also lost 95,000 of Title 1 funding for next year because this year's test scores did not meet expectations. I doubt the PTA's spring fundraiser came close to making up this shortfall.

They have money in the budget to add staff if the projections are off. If enough extra kids show up in September, compared to projections, that the class size is above the maximum for that grade, they will add another class. (If they are off downwards--which basically never happens any more--they wouldn't take away a teacher, you'd just have smaller-than-expected classes.) Agree that it is disruptive at the beginning of the year, but for schools that are "on the bubble" it may be better to underestimate a little and add if needed, then hire an additional teacher or two--the costs add up quickly. Kindergarten classes have a full time teacher plus a full time aide--it's like $150K a year for staffing alone.

Not sure about the numbers at Barcroft, but the maximum for K is 24 kids. If they expected 80 kindergartners, they would have budgeted for 4 teachers for an average class size of 20 kids. If 30 extra kids showed up, that would require 5 teachers for the 110 total students and give them an average class size of 22 kids per class. If the new apartment building is already fully rented, there's no reason to think there would be ANOTHER 30 extra kids next year. With 5 classes, they could have up to 120 kindergartners--10 more than this year. If they do get more than 120 Ks, they can add another teacher (and then have 6 comparatively small kindergarten classes.)

You aren't understanding that this is a population of kids entirely made up of special needs. It's not just about numbers. It's also about physical space- you can't create a classroom out of thin air. We are talking about a school that is already over capacity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kindergarten classes have a full time teacher plus a full time aide--it's like $150K a year for staffing alone.

peanuts in a school system as large as APS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

I don't know who " you people " are... I am among a group of growing, well educated, middle class that has purchased a single family home south of 50. Most of us purchased in the last 6-7 years and are now having kids. We couldn't afford the north Arlington prices, but have made significant investments in our homes and communities. We work hard, and paid significantly to buy into Arlington. I really don't want to hear from older south Arligton residents, who bought decades ago, and don't have kids in the system. I also don't want to hear from northside liberals who are oh so supportive of affordable housing, so long as its not in their school zone/ backyard.
And I don't want to hear any snark about looking into schools before purchase. I did my due diligence. Our school ( not Barcroft) has been trending up. I don't want to see what happened over at Barcroft happen to our school. I also feel solidarity with the other members of our community and feel the need to lend support.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kindergarten classes have a full time teacher plus a full time aide--it's like $150K a year for staffing alone.

peanuts in a school system as large as APS

Yes, but there are 23 elementary schools--if they did this for one grade in each school, that's $3.5M. Which is why they budget conservatively, and add staff only when needed.

I know this isn't on topic, I'm just reacting to the usual question of "why won't they do this one small thing that seems to make sense?" Because those things never make sense across the whole system, but people don't think about that, and just assume that APS staff are being dumb.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

I don't know who " you people " are... I am among a group of growing, well educated, middle class that has purchased a single family home south of 50. Most of us purchased in the last 6-7 years and are now having kids. We couldn't afford the north Arlington prices, but have made significant investments in our homes and communities. We work hard, and paid significantly to buy into Arlington. I really don't want to hear from older south Arligton residents, who bought decades ago, and don't have kids in the system. I also don't want to hear from northside liberals who are oh so supportive of affordable housing, so long as its not in their school zone/ backyard.
And I don't want to hear any snark about looking into schools before purchase. I did my due diligence. Our school ( not Barcroft) has been trending up. I don't want to see what happened over at Barcroft happen to our school. I also feel solidarity with the other members of our community and feel the need to lend support.

That's fine, just answer me two questions:

1) When you bought, did you regard "diversity" as a desirable attribute, list it on your criteria?
2) On other threads, do you attack people in N. Arlington for sending kids to majority white schools and tout the suppose benefits of diversity?

If not, fine. But there are a LOT of people who do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

Nothing like having a couple of kids who might have to go to school with the browns and the poors to bring out your inner racist, eh?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

Nothing like having a couple of kids who might have to go to school with the browns and the poors to bring out your inner racist, eh?

Woah, you appear to be replying to yourself. Did you mean to call yourself a racist?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a crisis in many localities, including my county, Fairfax county, where multi-family housing is crammed into the eastern and southern portions of the county, and the rest of the county rules the roost, and wonders why there are so many low SES students taking up resources in other parts of the county.

+1. This is going on in close-in Maryland as well. People, low income housing is not going to be distributed into the wealthiest parts of the county. Children are not going to be bused around.

You have three options: focus on creating a stronger community within your school for all families, move, or switch your kids to private.

I have 3 children ranging in ages from 14 - 7. And have seen my kids' schools become less diverse with the influx of low-income Hispanic families into Montgomery county. My recommendation is to stick it out and give your local schools a try. Encourage your neighbors to do so as well. Work on building a community. Your child's academic outcomes are most determined by academic achievement of their parents. Your kids will be fine.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

Nothing like having a couple of kids who might have to go to school with the browns and the poors to bring out your inner racist, eh?

Woah, you appear to be replying to yourself. Did you mean to call yourself a racist?

Dude- can seriously tell where comments come from? I'm not tech savvy, but are you looking at IP's? Cuz... Dude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, but I thought there might be people interested here as well.


The Affordable housing being crammed onto the western end of the Pike is of huge concern to all of the nearby neighborhoods.
If you live in Alcova heights, Douglas Park, Columbia Forrest, Nauck, Barcroft, Clarmemont etc... You need to make your voices heard.
There is a community meeting of the Concerned Citizens Group meeting on May 27, 7:30pm at Arlington Mill Community Center.
There is another meeting at Rappanhanock Coffee on June 1 at 10am.
Time is running out for us to voice our opinions and concerns. There are decisions being made that will impact our schools, property values and quality of life for decades to come. I urge people to make the time to be there.


Barcroft is really struggling, and if your child isn't zoned for that school it will likely be your problem soon. The proposed policies of the Arlington county board will cause these issues across all of south Arligton. This is not about being against affordable housing, this is about how we are accomplishing our goals as a county. The affordable housing lobby is very organized, very loud, and not concerned with the welfare of middle class arlingtonians and their children's education. We have to start advocating for ourselves. If not that board will take our silence as consent. Please try and make one of the two meetings.

North Arlington resident here who fled Alexandria. I tell you people that diversity is overrated, and you don't listen. No, you attack. And then, when you discover that diversity isn't the Benetton ad of your fantasies, you freak out. Sheesh.

Nothing like having a couple of kids who might have to go to school with the browns and the poors to bring out your inner racist, eh?

Woah, you appear to be replying to yourself. Did you mean to call yourself a racist?

Dude- can seriously tell where comments come from? I'm not tech savvy, but are you looking at IP's? Cuz... Dude.

Yes, or else you would have entire threads of people posting bogus comments in support of themself. I'm very glad that threads of that ilk are locked.